Seven Entry Steps to Enriching Shabbat

(Not in hierarchical order)

Light candles every Friday evening - This action delineates the official beginning of Shabbat. Even if one lights the candles and does nothing else, there is a recognition that a special day has started.
Have a Shabbat meal with family/friends - Traditionally, one difference between Shabbat and the rest of the week has been the additional meal. In the Talmud (Bavli, Shabbat 11 7b) we find that although other days have two meals, Shabbat is to have three: Friday night, Saturday kiddush, or lunch, and Seudah Shlishit, the third meal. This is different from eating three times in one day. Each meal adds a different dimension to Shabbat. Friday night revolves around the evening meal. Saturday afternoon's meal starts the afternoon period of enjoyment and relaxation. Seudah Shlishit reminds us of the special "something extra" nature of Shabbat Sharing a Shabbat meal with family and/or friends increases the 'specialness" of each meal.
Include a table ritual at your Shabbat meal (kiddush, motzi, birkat hamazon, z'mirot, Torah talk) - Like all Jewish holidays, Shabbat starts in the home. As important as community is, we rightfully place ourselves and our loved ones as most important. Therefore it makes sense that the Shabbat meal as a Shabbat experience in our home should be a high priority. Each table ritual one does at a Shabbat meal adds meaning to the meal and reminds us that the meal itself is an important part of Shabbat.
Go to services Friday night and/or Saturday morning - Judaism is a communal religion. Although our holidays all start in the home, Jews pray to together, and 10 Jewish adults, a minyan, are necessary for certain prayers and reading the Torah. The synagogue is the Jewish community's center for prayer, study and social activities, providing a communal identity and spirit that carries over into our prayers. When we pray in a communal setting we derive strength and support from each other.
Study Torah at home on Shabbat with family or friends - Rabbi Meir says, "Everyone who studies Torah lishmah [Torah for its own sake] earns many rewards. Moreover, the entire world is made worthy on his account." [Pirke Avot 6:1] As opposed to other subjects, studying Torah is uniquely Jewish, giving us both an historical perspective of Judaism and a basis for mitzvot, sacred deeds. It is study and engaging in interpretation of Torah that gives us a greater clarity in our own understanding, thereby making Judaism more meaningful.
Sing z'mirot, Shabbat songs, at the Shabbat table - Z'mirot is actually short for "z'mirot shell Shabbat," the Ashkenazic term referring to religious songs sung during and directly after Shabbat meals. Most of them were written between the 10th and 17th centuries in Hebrew or Aramaic. The Sephardim refer to these songs as pizmonim. The practice of singing z'mirot has been an established part of Shabbat observance since the Middle Ages. It remains one of the most important spiritual components of the Shabbat home experience. Singing adds a special joy to our meals, adding to the joy of Shabbat.
Give tzedakah just before Shabbat and set the Shabbat evening table in a special way - Friday, before Shabbat, we move into our separate world of Shabbat - a world of rest, relaxation and appreciation for God's creations. We show our appreciation by helping others who are in need. We therefore are sure to deposit some of our money into the tzedakah box before lighting the candles. We set the Shabbat table in a special way in order to bring extra beauty, to the table, emphasizing that exceptional and distinctive feeling that only Shabbat can bring. These actions also represent our final preparation for Shabbat- putting aside our physical and financial possessions, and concentrating on the beauty of Shabbat.